Welcome to my corner of the world! Glad you dropped by. Browse around and discover a collection of QSL cards from international broadcasters, old and new. Read an article or two about radios and the hobby of radio listening. Happy DXing!!!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Radio Télé Candip, transmitting at 1 kW or less from Bunia, in the Eastern Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was logged on 26 February 2016. A French language programme with female DJ in a long news commentary was noted at 19.00 UTC, followed by a few African (Congolese?) songs and a deep baritone voiced DJ chatting, off and on, after 19.25 UTC. Transmission ended at 19.57 UTC.

Reception on 5.066 kHz throughout the transmission was poor but audible, rating a
(SINPO) of 24321. Signal was weak and degraded further due to
severe atmospheric noise and occasional fading. Despite these terrible
conditions, speech and music was detected.

Interestingly, Radio Télé Candip's broadcast times are about as erratic as is their reception beyond the DRC, according to comments garnered in the radio chat rooms around the Internet. For my part, propagation and luck was integral in my ability to receive the station. After many years and many failed attempts to receive the station, I managed at last to hear their signal.

And while it was a whisper of audio under a good deal of noise, I cannot hide my enthusiasm enough. I'm busting buttons!!! Hopefully my reception report and audio file, posted to Radio Télé Candip, will be just as fruitful in the coming months. Yippie!!! Radio Télé Candip sent verification of my reception report on 19 March 2016.

In the letter, there is also mention of much needed tubes and parts for their transmitter.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Radio Slovakia International via WRMI in Okeechobee (USA) was received on 21 February 2016 from 00.00 till 00.30 UTC, under extremely poor conditions on the shortwave frequency of 11.580 kHz, here in the Kuala Lumpur area. SINPO rated 14321 -- weak signal, faintly audible when not fading. Despite these conditions, station IDs, a news magazine and some music was observed.

Reception port was emailed to Radio Slovakia International on 25 February 2016. Gavin Shoebridge, English Service at RSI, replied on the same day, saying: "Thank you for your reception report. I will have a QSL card sent to you today..." On 24 March 2016, this QSL card arrived in the mail.A second and different QSL card -- possibly a newer or FM-intended version -- arrived in the mail on 20 April 2016.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

WRMI has reactivated and added new frequencies to their B15 programme schedule. Included are more day/night pairing frequencies rather than low/high frequencies, all day and night. A spread sheet showing the breakdown of this may be viewed HERE.

To date I have been unable to receive WRMI on many of the above stated additional
frequencies, presumably owing to QRM from regional stations (primarily China), propagation, time and/or
positioning of WRMI's antennae.

The best frequency for WRMI remains 9.955 kHz, usually from 23.45 UTC
until as late as 00.30 UTC. In past years this frequency was audible from
around 11.00 UTC; however, this year, whenever the signal propagates well (which
is not every day), only a faint carrier and occasionally indecipherable
audio is present.

The next best frequency is 11.920 kHz, but I hasten to
add, after listening for several days now, it has yet to match the
strength and clarity of 9.955 kHz. On a really good day, WRMI on 11.580
kHz is audible, but still never as strong as 9.955 kHz.

On 21 February 2016, I did receive the following WRMI programmes here in Malaysia:

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Radio Öömrang from Amrum Island in the German North Frisian Islands will broadcast their annual programme on Sunday, 21 February 2016. Transmission commences at 16.00 UTC until 17.00 UTC. Frequency will be 15.215 kHz via Issoudun (France) with a programme in the Frisian dialect, German and English. For verification card, contact qsl-shortwave@media-broadcast.com

Radio Öömrang via Broadcast Media GmbH was heard under extremely poor conditions on 21 February 2016, here in the Kuala Lumpur area. This largely talk oriented broadcast was moderated by a male announcer who interviewed listeners/residents of Amrum Island. Conversations alternated between English, Frisian and German.

Reception between 16.00 till 16.30 UTC (broadcast time 16.00 till 17.00 UTC) on 15.215 kHz was (SINPO) 15421. At sign-on only a very faint and fading carrier signal was present. Approximately 10 minutes into the broadcast speech was clearly, but weakly detected in LSB mode. Reception remained poor and at times completely inaudible.

Reception report was emailed to Broadcast Media GmbH shortly after their broadcast ended. An eQSL arrived from Broadcast Media GmbH on the following day, 22 February 2016.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Uganda Diaspora P10 Radio, transmitter location unknown (purportedly a Babcock site), was logged on 18 February 2016. An English language broadcast aimed at instructing Ugandans on how to vote, to prevent vote rigging and to support candidate Mr Besigye and his FDC (Forum for Democratic Change) was observed from 16.30 till 17.00 UTC. This broadcast was interesting in that it differs from elections I have personally witnessed in the United States and Malaysia. There appeared to be a genuine concern to get the vote out and to give democracy a chance in the upcoming Ugandan general election. Reception on 15.405 kHz was (SINPO) 55545 -- good audio and signal strength, despite minor fading.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Two QSL cards arrived in the mailbox today: one from Radio Tirana; another from MGLOB(Madagascar) for Vatican Radio. The later QSL is interesting insomuch as it is the first QSL card from MGLOB received for a Vatican Radio broadcast. Although I hasten to add it is certainly neither the first QSL from MGLOB per se, nor is it the first QSL for Vatican Radio via Madagascar. Sounds confusing, right? Read the sentence again. Never mind. A QSL card from Vatican Radio for their broadcast relayed via Talata Volondry arrived in the mail weeks ago. Ah, joyful days! Happy DXing and 73s.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

End Times Coming, transmitting from Kostinbrod (Sofia), Bulgaria, was received on 14 February 2016. This Christian ministry, run by Ex-Catholics in Christ, broadcasts their sermons over short-wave every Sunday. This particular broadcast was presented by an Australian/New Zealand man, mentioning "the Bible is Eternal", "pray until you pray", "John the Baptist" as well as highlighting numerous chapters and verses from the Bible. Transmission lasted no more than 30 minutes, from 18.00 till 18.30 UTC. Reception 11.600 kHz was (SINPO) 33433 -- fair signal with possible jamming or transmitter noise, yet clear and discernible audio was received when not fading

Reception report was submitted online at their website the following day. Email was received acknowledging reception, but no promise of a QSL card which some listeners have received.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Trans World Radio Europe*, transmitting from presumably Yerevan-Gavar (Armenia), was received on 12 February 2016. This largely religious talk dominated format, along with a few songs, all in Arabic, was heard from 20.35 UTC till 21.01 UTC (broadcast time 20.00 to 21.00 UTC). Station closed shortly after their signature interval tune at 21.01 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1377 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 - fair signal strength, slight transmitter noise and minor fading.

Reception report was emailed to TWR Europe on the same day. This eQSL, along with an email confirming transmission and an unspecified locationin"Central Asia", was received on 4 March 2016. Thank you, Kalman Dobos!

Email:

twre@twr.org

*Reception of TWR Europe was made possible by the remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Italian Broadcasting Corporation was finally heard in my corner of the world, after much waiting and intensive listening. Had I not known in advance IBC's broadcast schedule for this World Radio Day broadcast, I would have certainly missed their transmission to Asia altogether. With this in mind I remained vigilant during the wee morning hours, from 18.00 till 21.00 UTC on 12 February 2015, and tuned in to their broadcast.

Nothing was detected initially at 18.20 UTC, and I was about to switch off the radio and call it a day. Patience paid off, and at around 19.50 UTC I managed to hear peaks of faint music (Pet Shop Boys) and talking (station jingle and DJ chatter in Italian) on 6.970 kHz in USB mode. Signal remained audible between long fades, approximately every 8 to 10 minutes, and up until 20.15 UTC. A few times the chirping of a utility station interfered, but nothing terribly intrusive for long. All in all, reception was quite frankly, very poor, registering a SINPO of 14321.

Despite the poor quality of reception, a report was emailed to Italian Broadcasting Corporation shortly afterwards. QSL card arrived on 2 March 2016 and is for transmissions logged
directly in Malaysia and remotely from the Netherlands (note dates and
times).

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Generally one receives New Year's greetings, well, when the new year rolls around. In Malaysia, public holidays often disrupt mail service and delay delivery. Such was the case, today, when I finally received letters from Radio Habana Cuba and NHK World - Radio Japan, Urdu Service, each extending their best wishes for 2016. Thank you very much!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Eternal Good News (via Bible Voice Broadcasting), transmitting from Nauen, Germany, was logged on 6 February 2016. An evangelical sermon relating Old Testament accounts to Jesus, then closing with contact details for Eternal Good News and Bible Voice Broadcasting, was observed from 19.30 till 19.45 UTC. Reception on 6.030 kHz was (SINPO) 34553 -- fair signal strength and QRM from Radio Oromiya in Ethiopia, otherwise audible and discernible content during their 15 minute broadcast.

Reception report was submitted to Eternal Good News on the following day.Letter of Verification, along with broadcast schedule and sermon from this broadcast, arrived in the mail on 25 February 2016.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Radio Romania International, transmitting from Galbeni, was logged on 5 February 2016. An Arabic language broadcast of news, reports on Syria and music was observed from 13.00 to 13.26 UTC. Reception on 15.460 kHz was (SINP0) 35433 - fair signal strength with occasional fading, yet audible and clear content.

National Broadcasting Corporation - Radio Bougainville, transmitting from Kubu, in the autonomous region of Bougainville (Papua New Guinea), was logged on 5 February 2016 (locally 6 February 2016). A selection of vocal reggae and steelpan music was heard between DJ chatter from 05.30am till 06.00am Bougainville time (19.30 till 20,00 UTC), Sign-on reportedly is at 19.00 UTC.

Reception quality on 3.325 kHz was initially (SINPO) 35432 -- fair signal strength with intermittent fading every two to three seconds apart, yet clear and audible content was observed. By 05.50am (19.50 UTC) signal weakened to (SINPO) 25421; while speech was audible. at times content could not be clearly understood. From 06.00am (20.00 UTC) onward, signal was present but too weak to receive well.

The following day, Radio Bougainville was not heard. This leads me to believe the sporadic broadcast schedule has more to do with the testing of a new 10kW transmitter than anything else. They also are reportedly testing on 6.020 kHz as well as 3.325 kHz. In South East Asia, 6.020 kHz is either occupied by stations in China (CRI) or Vietnam (VoV 4 in DacLac), making reception virtually impossible; 3.325 kHz is ideal, provided it is before RRI Palangkaraya in Kalimantan signs on at 21.55 UTC. For more news about the reactivation of NBC Radio Bougainville, see thisLINK.

By the way, NBC affiliate stations and frequencies are listed at their updated website, some with either new frequencies or pending revision -- it's hard to say.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online at the NBC website on 6 February 2016. A prompt reply from their online messaging service was received, stating my reception report and audio file would be forwarded to the Executive Director of Radio, Allen Arifeae. He in turn replied saying he would look into the matter once he returned to his office.

On 8 February 2016, Michael Samuga, ED Provincial Radio for NBC confirmed for Allen Arifeae that this was indeed a "test transmission" of NBC Radio Bougainville. He also mentioned the transmitter/station would be commissioned near the end of the month (February 2016). I followed up by requesting and drafting an 'official' Letter of Verification.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

As the Chinese New Year approaches, I would like wish my friends and family members Gong Xi Fa Chi. In the spirit of the occasion I received the above greetings not from China Radio International nor Radio Taiwan International, but rather Radio Romania International.

Xie Lu Bin (Serban), the Chinese Editoral Director at RRI emailed it, along with the following message: "...A few years ago I found this postcard a antique shop in Bucharest. I guess it was printed before the Second World War. I do not know whether this postcard is a Chinese New Year greeting card, but I hope you will accept it as our station's Spring Festival blessing. On behalf of my Chinese newsroom colleagues, Su Yan, Marian, Xiaoyu, Xuebin, Luo and Yi. we would like to wish you Happy New Year, good health, prosperous business and good luck!"

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

NHK World - Radio Japan, relayed from Thammasat University Radio in Bangkok (Thailand), was logged on 2 February 2016. A Thai language broadcast, featuring NHK World - Radio Japan news magazine and Japanese lessons, was heard from 12.30 to 13.00 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 981 kHz was (SINPO) 25322 -- poor to fair signal due to long and deep fading, approximately three minutes apart. The broadcast was occasionally audible whenever fading and atmospheric noise did not affect reception.

Reception report was submitted online to NHK World - Radio Japan on 3 February 2016. QSL card arrived on 8 March 2016. Oddly this QSL card contained insufficient content (i.e. date, time, frequency, TX location), nor official verification stamp. I am mystified, moreover disappointed, as to the general confirmation. I have since followed up and contacted Radio Japan requesting a complete and detailed QSL card.

Thammasat University Radio, one of several stations in Thailand's education network, was logged on 2 February 2016. Thammasat University in Rangsit, Pathumthani (outside Bangkok) relays NHK World - Radio Japan broadcasts as well as education related programming in the Thai language. Their on-campus station operates on the MW frequency of 981 kHz, using a 10 kilowatt HARRIS generation DX10 transmitter.

Transmission was monitored from 12.15 till 14.00 UTC (7.15pm till 9.00pm local time). Reception at 12.15 UTC was (SINPO) 25322 -- poor to fair signal due to long and deep fading, approximately 3 minutes apart. Signal improved after 13.30 UTC to 35433 -- less fading allowed for longer period of clear and audible transmission.

Reception report was initially emailed on 2 February 2016. A follow-up email was sent on 8 March 2016. Much to my surprise, 9 March 2016, Sujira Lohatud for Thammasat Radio Station replied, saying: "We are delighted to receive an E-mail from you, and I'm sorry about reply E-mail delay. However, we will answer your questions back to you soon. Thank you very much."

Monday, February 1, 2016

Two Asian radio stations I have anxiously awaited verification for the past few months arrived in the mail today. They are the broadcast giants: NHK World - Radio Japan transmitting on medium-wave from Myanmar Radio in Pyin-U-Lwin/Yangoon and All India Radio transmitting on short-wave from Shillong, Meghalaya, India.

NHK World - Radio Japan, transmitting from Issoudun (France), was received on 1 February 2016. A Japanese language broadcast featuring Western classical music was monitored from 17.30 till 18.00 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 till 19.00 UTC). Reception on 11.945 kHz was (SINPO) 34443 -- fair and stable signal strength with clear audio

Reception report was submitted online to NHK World - Radio Japan on 2nd February 2016. QSL card arrived in the mail on 25 February 2016.

Voice of Korea in Kujang was received on 1 February 2016. An Arabic language broadcast of news, commentary on Libyan-Korean relations and instrumental music was heard from 18.00 till 18.26 UTC (broadcast time 17.30 till 18.30 UTC). Reception on 9.890 kHz was (SINPO): 44434 -- good signal and clear audio, despite occasional fading.